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Chapter 15. Baptism: Becoming a Christian • 193
Adopted Children of God
Baptism also gives us new life as adopted children of God. We become
sharers of divine life and temples of the Holy Spirit. We are now made
righteous by God and live in a state of grace, that is, we live in union
with God because of his gracious and loving initiative. Our permanence
in the state of grace is called
sanctifying grace
because God “sanctifies”
us, that is, makes us his holy people by giving us his life. God continues
to assist us by many helps that are called
actual graces
. Thus, we have
the ability to live and act under the guidance and light of the gifts of
the Holy Spirit. This helps us mature in goodness through the practice
of virtues, such as the Cardinal Virtues: prudence, justice, temperance,
and fortitude.
Initiated into the Church
By Baptism we become members of the Church, the Body of Christ.
We share in the priesthood of Christ as well as his prophetic and royal
mission. “You are ‘a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a
people of his own, so that you may announce the praises’ of him who
called you out of darkness into his marvelous light” (1 Pt 2:9). We enjoy
the community we find in the Church, share our talents and gifts with
its members, respond willingly to its teachings and requirements, and
assume the responsibilities that our membership implies.
Bonded to Other Christians
Baptism provides a common foundation among all Christians, including
those not yet in full communion with the Catholic Church. The Church
recognizes the validity of Baptism in other Christian Churches as long
as the rite involved the pouring of or immersion in water, a Trinitarian
formula, and the intention to baptize. Those who have been baptized
have been saved by their faith in Christ and the grace of Baptism. “They
therefore have a right to be called Christians and with good reason are
accepted as brothers [and sisters] by the children of the Catholic Church”
(CCC, no. 1271, citing UR, no. 3).